Is bariatric surgery the solution to controlling our nation’s diabetes and obesity problem? Some doctors seem to think so, according to a recent article in the New York Times. Apparently, spending $11,500 to $26,000 on such surgery (which is often not covered by insurance) while risking possible complications including nutrient deficiencies, infections and intestinal blockages, as well as the potential you might gain the weight back, is a preferable to making a simple and lasting lifestyle change: cutting carbohydrates.
Over 80 clinical studies support the science behind a low-carb diet like Atkins and its effectiveness at helping people lose weight and decrease risk factors for a variety of health problems and diseases. Dr. Atkins discovered long ago that cutting carbohydrates can help control blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity in his patients, factors in controlling or eliminating Type-2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. Eliminating processed carbohydrates found in packaged food, white rice, bread and pasta in favor of high-fiber vegetables, protein, dairy, healthy fats and some fruits and whole grains is a doable lifestyle change that has far fewer risks (and expenses) than weight loss surgery or a lifetime of dependence on insulin and other medications. Despite these hard facts, medical organizations and the diabetes association have continued to recommend controlling diabetes with pharmaceutical insulin and a high-carb diet, and now, a variety of weight-loss surgeries. Sarah Hallberg and Osama Hamdy, the authors of this article and both medical directors and experts in weight loss programs and nutrition-based medical interventions, argue that we owe it to diabetes patients to offer the proven and science-based solution of a low-carb diet.
Having seen the real-life affects a low-carb diet like Atkins has had on controlling and even eliminating Type-2 diabetes and pre-diabetes in thousands of people over the years, I couldn’t agree more. Weight-loss surgery? Just say no. Say yes to Atkins.
